By Carol McCracken  (Post # 1,602)

The occasional return of Denise Poirier to the Good Theater stage is an opportunity to take notice and enjoy this aspiring actress  currently playing Katharine Cornell, once known as “The First Lady of the American Stage.”  The play, the Grand Manner, is at the Good Theater on Munjoy Hill for a three-week run only – from November 6th until the 24th.  Go to www.goodtheater.com for ticket information.

In 1948,  playwright and novelist A. R. Gurney, then a young student,  was given the opportunity to visit the great stage actress Ms. Cornell, then 53 years old, in the Martin Beck green room following her performance in Antony and Cleopatra.  What took place there is a heartwarming and revealing glimpse of the uncertain future facing a star and her resolution of the situation through the eyes of the admiring school boy Gurney. During this meeting, Cornell advises him to become a playwright which goes against the wishes of his father who wants him to become a medical doctor.

Maine native Poirier, 51 years old, used to run the box office at Good Theater and was the popular star in some of director Brian Allen’s plays.  Three years ago she moved to New York City looking for her break on the Great White Way.  She was an agent and would like to get into a television series. More and more they are being filmed in New York City, Poirier said following the performance of the Grand Manner this afternoon.  Until then, she is a narrator of audiobooks with Audible and pleased to be performing once again at the Good Theater at the St. Lawrence Arts Center.

Catch her while you can!